They Thought They Had TimeMy Samoan friend was talking about the September tsunami and earthquake that affected Western and American Samoa. She was glad that none of her immediate family was affected. The conversation turned sober though as she told the story of over a hundred lives lost. Some were caught unprepared or simply overtaken and were taken by the waves to their deaths. But many deaths were more tragic. There were many who did not appreciate the danger and unforgiving nature of torrents of ocean water because the sea was always their friend. So many islanders simply chose to run towards the ocean to watch the tsunami. Their miscalculation was sadly too dear: it cost them their lives. Some, after being given a firm warning to immediately flee to higher ground thought they had some time to run to the store and get some provisions. They were sadly wrong. They had NO time. It only took about 30 minutes for the tsunami waves to quickly obliterate roads, bridges, buildings and hundreds of homes. They thought they had time. They thought they had time.
Today, my daughter told me that a girl in their ward is at the ICU with pneumonia and swine flu. She is not expected to live. Hers was a serious case. There are others who suffer within their 'safe' cocoon. Last week, I sounded like a paranoid crazed mother begging them to get the swine flu vaccine. They thought I was annoying. Today, they have plans to get the vaccine asap. I hope the clinic does not run out of vaccines. And I hope they really do go.
For the most part, I think all these events are a good metaphor for the bigger events to come. Just like what happened in L'Aquila, Italy when they had that huge earthquake just last April. They had hundreds of smaller quakes for about four months so when they were warned to prepare for the inevitable, they thought they had time. They didn't. Over 300 people died making this earthquake the deadliest one in Italy since 1980.
Many of the great prophecies found in the scriptures have already come to pass. Some are in progress. But very little is left.
But we still have time.
Right?
Today, my daughter told me that a girl in their ward is at the ICU with pneumonia and swine flu. She is not expected to live. Hers was a serious case. There are others who suffer within their 'safe' cocoon. Last week, I sounded like a paranoid crazed mother begging them to get the swine flu vaccine. They thought I was annoying. Today, they have plans to get the vaccine asap. I hope the clinic does not run out of vaccines. And I hope they really do go.
For the most part, I think all these events are a good metaphor for the bigger events to come. Just like what happened in L'Aquila, Italy when they had that huge earthquake just last April. They had hundreds of smaller quakes for about four months so when they were warned to prepare for the inevitable, they thought they had time. They didn't. Over 300 people died making this earthquake the deadliest one in Italy since 1980.
Many of the great prophecies found in the scriptures have already come to pass. Some are in progress. But very little is left.
But we still have time.
Right?
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